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Ideal weather for mosquitoes Threatens a strong mosquito infestation?
Heat wave, continuous rain, floods: the weather conditions of the last few weeks provided ideal conditions for mosquitoes. The little bloodsuckers are not dangerous, but they can be quite uncomfortable. Experts have tips that help against annoying mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes can spread well thanks to the weather
According to experts, a mosquito plague threatens again after two mosquito-poor years. According to the Düsseldorf parasitologist Prof. Dr. med. Heinz Mehlhorn currently offers the best conditions for a rapid increase of insects. The mosquitoes develop especially in dormant waters such as ponds, ponds or rain barrels. In addition, floodplains can become "regular mosquito breeding stations" because there are "significantly fewer natural predators" for mosquitoes. When it got warm again after the cool days, it came to a "mass excursion". How long the plague will last, the expert can not say.
In parts of Germany threatens a mosquito infestation. Even if the insects do not transmit dangerous diseases, it makes sense to protect themselves from stings. (Image: corlaffra / fotolia.com) Exotic mosquitoes in Germany
Around 3,500 species of mosquitoes are known worldwide, with around 50 species in Germany alone. Experts are worried about the increasing spread of exotic mosquitoes such as the Asian tiger mosquito in Germany, which can transmit numerous pathogens such as viruses, protozoa and roundworms. Although infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or even Zika be transmitted by mosquitoes, but the risk of getting a disease in this country over a sting, "is vanishingly small". Due to the climatic conditions in Germany, the viruses would have no chance to spread. The little bloodsuckers are always annoying. Stitches swell, causing red bumps and often itching.
Protect yourself from itchy bites
But what can you do to escape the pests? You can not completely escape them completely. At least you can often protect against itchy bites. Mehlhorn recommends so-called all-in-one sprays with the active ingredient Icaridin. Such preparations are available in pharmacies and are also intended to protect against ticks, grass mites and other insects. For the products, however, there are apparently large differences in quality. Different mosquito products often do not protect well, as revealed by a study by Stiftung Warentest.
Important function in the food chain
Furthermore, at home or in a tent, insects can be kept away by mosquito nets and protected from stings in the open air by light, skin-covering clothing. According to research, the bloodsuckers are attracted by bad smell, like sweat or smelly socks. This should therefore be avoided. If you are stung anyway, you should cool the place. As a home remedy for mosquitoes, inter alia, offer a sliced onion or some wax to relieve the swelling. Experts advise against using UV emitters and similar electrical insect killing devices. On the one hand, their effectiveness is limited anyway. And on the other hand, one should not reduce the mosquito population in this country, since the annoying tormentors biologically yes indeed have their meaning. For example, their eggs and larvae are an important link in the food chain. (Ad)